Gentiva Hospice seeking volunteers

“Becoming a hospice volunteer will give you the opportunity to use your talents and gifts to enrich the lives of patients and their families,” said Lynn Yeager, manager of volunteer services. “Our volunteers are a part of a team that believes that every moment matters, believes in compassionate care and most of all, believes in dignity and respect for each patient we serve.”

For more information, contact Yeager at 770-502-1104.

“Some people have the wrong idea about hospice care. They think that hospice is only about dying and that hospice is the place you go when there’s nothing more to be done,” said Jon Radulovic of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Radulovic said. “Hospice helps people with a life-limiting illness focus on living as fully as possible for as long as possible.”

NHPCA is working to help people understand that hospice can bring comfort, dignity and peace to help people facing a terminal illness. Hospice provides support and care for the family caregivers, as well.

Last year, 1.65 million dying Americans were cared for by hospice. Radulovic said there are some important facts about hospice that people don’t know.

• Hospice is not a place—it’s high-quality care that focuses on comfort and quality of life. “Hospice is paid for by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans,” Radulovic said. “Fear of costs should never prevent a person from accessing hospice care.”

• Hospice serves anyone with a life-limiting illness, regardless of age or type of illness.

• Hospice provides expert medical care “as well as spiritual and emotional support to patients and families,” Radulovic said.

• Hospice serves people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

• Hospice patients and families can receive care for six months or longer.

• A person may keep his or her referring physician involved while receiving hospice care.

• Hospice offers grief and bereavement services to family members to help them adjust to the loss in their lives.

Research has shown that the majority of Americans would prefer to be at home at the end of life, and hospice makes this possible for most people.

Research also has shown people receiving hospice care can live longer than similar patients who do not opt for hospice. “The best time to learn about hospice is before you or someone in your family is facing a medical crisis,” Radulovic said.

Yeager said being a hospice volunteer offers “a way to develop and grow personally” while helping “improve the lives of others in our community.” She added, “As a hospice volunteer, you can help ensure that every moment counts.”